Page 19 - 1978 NAB Calendar Early Australian Maritime Life Part Two

QUEEN’S WHARF, SYDNEY

AUGUST
Wharf, because it was close to the hospital buildings of the day. A second
In a despatch to the Home Authorities, Governor Phillip wrote this about
Sydney Cove: “I fixed on the Cove that had the best spring of water, and wharf known as "The Governor’s” was built later.
The Hospital Wharf was continually being enlarged and improved and was
in which the ships can anchor so close to the shores that at a very small
expense quays may be made at which the largest ships may unload”. re-named “The King’s Wharf”. On the accession of Queen Victoria it was
altered to the “Queen’s Wharf”. However, its importance gradually
The interesting point, however, is that nearly half a century elapsed disappeared when extensions were made to Circular Quay on the west side.
before the making of quays was seriously attempted at all. This was The large building in the foreground of the picture is the Commissariat
probably because in those days ships did not come alongside the land Store designed by Joseph Foveaux. It was built in 1809 and Governor

and the most stringent precautions were taken to prevent unauthorised Macquarie added a further store on the George Street frontage in 1812. It
communication between the vessels and the shore. was demolished in 1940 and replaced by the present Maritime Services
But as people and stores had to be landed, a wharf was eventually Board building completed in 1949.
erected. This structure was known for many years as the ‘Hospital Samuel Elyard: See March note.

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